Be ready
- are you in a good headspace? Are you willing
to genuinely listen? Can you give as much time as
needed?Be Prepared: Do you understand that a diffiult
conversatoin might happen and you won't have the answers?
Do you understand that talking about persoal struggles
can be difficult and they might get embarrassed , even
angry?Pick your moment: Have you chosen somewhere
relatively private and comfy? nWhat time will be good for
them to chat? If they can't talk when you approach them,
ask them for a better time to come back.

Have you seen
anyone with a semicolon tattoo or button or window decal? If
not, you may not be looking close enough. They're popping up
everywhere. The semicolon is used when the person could've
chosen to end their life, but chose not to. Today, people
all over the world are tattooing the mark as a reminder of
their struggle, victory, and survival.

Mental illness is not uncommon, yet
there is a stigma around it that prevents a lot of people
from talking about it  and that's a barrier to getting
help. It's a symbol to reduce the stigma around mental
illness for those who are struggling with depression,
suicide, addiction, and self-injury. It represents the
importance of suicide prevention.

No matter how we get there, the end
result is so important to help more people to also be able
to say "; I'm still here." "; my story isn't
over."

The symbol is a conversation starter
celebrating the road to recovery and the determination to
keep moving forward no matter what. People ask what it is
and you get to open up an opportunity to help someone else
who might be struggling.

If you have ever seriously considered
suicide and are willing to talk to someone who might be
needing help, ink your hand during September, Suicide
Prevention Month or wear a button or put a decal on your car
window. Lets stop the self harming, the suicides and
the bullying

Need to talk now? Call
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
for the National Hopeline/Suicide Prevention Lifeline or
text 741741
for a Crisis Text Counselor or see our list of
other
lifelines.

What leads to
suicide?Theres no single cause for suicide. Suicide most
often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities
of someone suffering from a mental health condition.
Depression is the most common condition associated with
suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated.
Conditions like depression, anxiety and substance problems,
especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide. Yet
its important to note that most people who actively
manage their mental health conditions lead fulfilling
lives.

Warning
Signs
Suicide is rarely a spur of the moment decision. In the days
and hours before people kill themselves, there are usually
clues and warning signs.

The strongest and most
disturbing signs are verbal  I cant go
on, Nothing matters any more or even
Im thinking of ending it all. Such remarks
should always be taken seriously. Of course, in most cases
these situations do not lead to suicide. But, generally, the
more signs a person displays, the higher the risk of
suicide.

Situations

Suffering a major
loss or life change

Family history of
suicide or violence

Sexual or physical
abuse

Death of a close
friend or family member

Divorce or
separation, ending a relationship

Failing academic
performance, impending exams, exam results

Job loss, problems
at work

Impending legal
action

Recent
imprisonment or upcoming release

Behaviors

Showing a marked
change in behavior, attitudes or appearance

Crying

Fighting

Behaving
recklessly

Breaking the
law

Impulsiveness

Abusing drugs or
alcohol

Self-mutilation

Writing about
death and suicide

Previous suicidal
behavior

Extremes of
behavior

Changes in
behavior

Getting affairs in
order and giving away valued possessions

Physical
Changes

Lack of
energy

Disturbed sleep
patterns  sleeping too much or too
little

Loss of
appetite

Becoming depressed
or withdrawn

Sudden weight gain
or loss

Increase in minor
illnesses

Change of sexual
interest

Sudden change in
appearance

Lack of interest
in appearance

Thoughts and
Emotions

Thoughts of
suicide

Loneliness 
lack of support from family and friends

Rejection, feeling
marginalized

Deep sadness or
guilt

Unable to see
beyond a narrow focus

Daydreaming

Anxiety and
stress

Helplessness

Loss of
self-worth

Suicide
Risk Factors

Health Factors

Mental health conditions

Depression

Bipolar (manic-depressive)
disorder

Schizophrenia

Borderline or antisocial
personality disorder

Conduct disorder

Psychotic disorders, or
psychotic symptoms in the context of any
disorder

Anxiety disorders

Substance abuse
disorders

Serious or chronic health
condition and/or pain

Environmental Factors

Stressful life events which may
include a death, divorce, or job loss

Prolonged stress factors which may
include harassment, bullying, relationship problems, and
unemployment

Access to lethal means including
firearms and drugs

Exposure to another persons
suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of
suicide

Historical Factors

Previous suicide
attempts

Family history of suicide
attempts

What
Should I Do if Someone I Know Shows Warning Signs of
Suicide?First, if someone you know appears to be depressed and
is contemplating suicide, take that person seriously. Listen
to what he or she is saying. Take the initiative to ask that
person what he or she is planning. But don't attempt to
argue him or her out of committing suicide. Rather, let the
person know that you care and understand and are listening.
Avoid statements like: "You have so much to live for." And
ask if the person has sought help from a medical or mental
professional, or if he is currently being treated by a
mental health professional

If someone you know
appears to be depressed and talks about suicide, makes a
suicidal gesture, or attempts suicide, take it as a serious
emergency. Listen to the person, but don't try to argue with
him or her. Seek immediate help from a health care
profession

People who experience
a major depressive episode are often suicidal. It is a key
symptom of the disease. Some studies show that the
neurotransmitter serotonin plays a central role in the
neurobiology of suicide. Researchers have found lower levels
of serotonin in the brainstem and cerebrospinal fluid of
suicidal individuals.

In addition, suicidal
behavior sometimes runs in families. Remember, any talk of
suicide is always an emergency. Have the person talk with a
health care professional immediately.

Where
Can I Get Help for Suicide and Depression?Encourage a suicidal or depressed person to seek the
help of a mental health professional. Because the person may
feel so hopeless that they may not think it's possible to be
helped, you'll probably have to be persistent and go with
that person.

If your loved one
appears to be in imminent danger of committing suicide, do
not leave him or her alone. Remove any weapons or drugs he
or she could use. Accompany him or her to the nearest
emergency room or call 911.

How
to Help Someone Else
If someone is feeling depressed or suicidal, our first
response is to try to help. We offer advice, share our own
experiences, try to find solutions. Wed do better to
be quiet and listen. People who feel suicidal dont
want answers or solutions. They want a safe place to express
their fears and anxieties, to be themselves.

Listening 
really listening  is not easy. We must control the
urge to say something  to make a comment, add to a
story or offer advice. We need to listen not just to the
facts that the person is telling us but to the feelings that
lie behind them. We need to understand things from their
perspective, not ours.

Here are some points
to remember if you are helping a person who feels
suicidal.

They want someone
to listen. Someone who will take time to really listen to
them. Someone who wont judge, or give advice or
opinions, but will give their undivided
attention.

They want someone
to trust. Someone who will respect them and wont
try to take charge. Someone who will treat everything in
complete confidence.

They want someone
to care. Someone who will make themselves available, put
the person at ease and speak calmly. Someone who will
reassure, accept and believe. Someone who will say,
I care.

What do people who
feel suicidal not want?

They don't want to
be alone. Rejection can make the problem seem ten times
worse. Having someone to turn to makes all the
difference. Listen.

They don't want to
be advised. Lectures dont help. Nor does a
suggestion to cheer up, or an easy assurance
that everything will be okay. Dont
analyze, compare, categorize or criticize.
Listen.

They don't want to
be interrogated. Dont change the subject,
dont pity or patronize. Talking about feelings is
difficult. People who feel suicidal dont want to be
rushed or put on the defensive. Listen.

So, if you are
concerned that someone you know may be thinking of suicide,
you can help. Remember, as a helper, do not promise to do
anything you do not want to do or that you cannot
do.

First of
all...

If the person is
actively suicidal, get help immediately. Call your local
crisis service or the police, or take the person to the
emergency room of your local hospital. Do not leave the
person alone.

If the person has
attempted suicide and needs medical attention, call 9-1-1 or
your local emergency services number.

The following are
suggestions for helping someone who is suicidal:

Ask the person - "Are
you thinking of suicide?" Ask them if they have a plan and
if they have the means. Asking someone if they are suicidal
will not make them suicidal. Most likely they will be
relieved that you have asked. Experts believe that most
people are ambivalent about their wish to die.

Listen actively to
what the person is saying to you. Remain calm and do not
judge what you are being told. Do not advise the person not
to feel the way they are.

Reassure the person
that there is help for their problems and reassure them that
they are not "bad" or "stupid" because they are thinking
about suicide.

Help the person break
down their problem(s) into more manageable pieces. It is
easier to deal with one problem at a time.

Emphasize that there
are ways other than suicide to solve problems. Help the
person to explore these options, for example, ask them what
else they could do to change their situation.

Offer to investigate
counselling services.

Do not agree to keep
the person's suicidal thoughts or plans a secret. Helping
someone who is suicidal can be very stressful. Get help -
ask family members and friends for their assistance and to
share the responsibility.

Suggest that the
person see a doctor for a complete physical. Although there
are many things that family and friends can do to help,
there may be underlying medical problems that require
professional intervention. Your doctor can also refer
patients to a psychiatrist, if necessary.

Try to get the person
to see a trained counselor. Do not be surprised if the
person refuses to go to a counselor - but be persistent.
There are many types of caregivers for the suicidal. If the
person will not go to a psychologist, or a psychiatrist,
suggest, for example, they talk to a clergyperson, a
guidance counselor or a teacher.

Partners
where you can get free semicolon cards and buttons - 140
Partners and Counting

Pickup a semicolon card that
talks about suicide prevention and gives a 24/7 Helpline
phone number and a 24/7 text
crisis number. Keep
one in your wallet to give to someone who might be going
through depression or a tough
time with a job,
alcohol, physical health, financial, or an intimate partner.
Take a semicolon button and wear it to let people know
you're willing to listen. It's also a great conversation
starter about what it means. When a person dies by suicide,
they put a period at the end of their life. When they
survive or refrain from a suicide attempt, they put a
semicolon with the intention of continuing on. Let's end the
stigma around suicide by being willing to talk openly about
our experience and to listen to theirs without judgment.
Pickup a free card and button at any of these locations.
Contact gordonclay@aol.com
for additional supplies or to add your company location to
this list.

Get a business card for your wallet
explaining the program with a crisis phone line and crisis
text line listed. Some locations have our 1 1/4" round
semicolon button, too. Do you own a business which would
like to participate in this campaign? Send an email
request to gordonclay@aol.com

Check back often because we hope to
list additional locations with a supply of these free
items.

Why keep a
semicolon business card in your wallet?

Two sided business
card

;

Suicide is
preventable. It is not chosen and it is momentary.
It happens when pain exceeds the resources for
coping with pain. You're not a bad person, or
crazy, or weak, or flawed, if you feel suicidal. It
doesn't even mean that you really want to die. If
you have ever seriously considered suicide but
didn't end your life with a period, use a semicolon
to make a statement like "; I'm still here."
or "; my story isn't over." Learn the
early warning signs. Know that talking or calling a
crisis line isn't a sign of weakness. It shows real
strength to ask for help. And it shows real
strength to be an ally. Help reduce the stigma
around depression and suicidal ideation. Wear a
semicolon button signifying you've willing to
listen to someone in crisis. If you want help now,
call the
National Hopeline 24/7 at 800-273-TALK (8255) or
Text "SOS" to 741741.www.TheCitizensWhoCare.org/semicolon.html

Note: The
semicolon above fills one side of the actual business
card

90% of men who die
by suicide have a diagnosable mental health issue at the
time of death80% of suicide attempts are by women. 80% of successful
suicides are by men and men using a gun. In 90% of those
suicide cases, men are suffering from a mental health issue.
(see below) Men are most reticent to talk about their
problems, and since suicide is usually a momentary thing,
tend not to as for help.

If you know a man who is going through
one of the following issues, be sure to give him one of
these cards, let him know you are available to talk
confidentially, and insure that he knows that most people
who call a crisis line aren't suicidal. They just need
someone to talk through what's going on for them. If he is a
good friend ask him to commit to you that he won't do
anything rash until he gets aold of you and you can talk it
through. (Bill Withers song, Lean on Me.)

46.3% had an intimate
partner problem
31.6% had a problem with alcohol29.6% had a job problem
27.5% had a financikal problem
24.3% had a physical health problem
62.9% had a current depressed mood

* * *

People who commit suicide put a period
at the end of their life. People who seriously consider
suicide but stop have put a semicolon at that point and
carry on.

The person who completes
suicide, dies once. Those left behind die a thousand deaths,
trying to relive those terrible moments and understand
why?

Place your hand over your heart,
can you feel it? That is called purpose. Youre alive
for a reason so dont ever give up.

"I take it that no man is educated who
has never dallied with the thought of suicide." - William
James

Suicide is a permanent solution
to a temporary problem.

Its not the bullet that kills
you, its the hole. Call 911 or a crisis
line.

You can't unfire a fire arm

Women
seek helpmen die. Jed Diamond

Don't blow your brains
out! They are right where they need to be.

Never never never give up.
 Winston Churchill

Just clearing
out the shit - all of those unhealthy messages and
thoughts.